Chosen Vessels

Jesus likely would have begun his work as a carpenter while still a teenager. When we consider this, it seems like a decade or more of his time on earth could have been used differently. Only 10 percent of Jesus's life was spent in public ministry.    I think we need to know this because we will all have "carpenter years." Times when we don't feel like we're living up to our potential. We feel like we could be doing something more, something bigger. We can resist the smallness. We, like the questioning crowd around Jesus, can become disappointed and disillusioned by what doesn't seem as grand as we'd imagined.    // Hope Your Heart Needs by Holley Gerth, page 140 I'm not even exaggerating when I say that these lines jumped off the page at me as I read them. Wait...Jesus had a season of "smallness"? Yes, yes, He did. His ministry, covered in the four Gospels, all happened in about three years—around 10% of His earthly life! The a...

I've had some good, lengthy, deep talks with some dear friends in the last few months. Some thoughts from then, some things discussed, and some lessons God has been teaching me lately led me to write this.  My prayer is that is touches someone's heart. <3  I don't know why...  I don't see the purpose in pain and trouble. I don't know why good people have to experience pain and confusion. I don't know why some people pray for years for a child of their own, while hundreds of thousands of innocent babies are aborted every year. I don't understand why some people desire love and marriage so much, and others toss feelings aside like they're nothing. I don't understand why it seems like some people have it so easy, and some have it so hard. I don't know why some can see their futures so clearly, while others struggle years to find some direction. I don't understand why some are called to wait, when they want to move, and som...

Behold.  Its an interesting word, isn't it?  A definition I found reads... "see or observe – a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one..."  To see. To observe. To soak up the presence of something worthy of noting.  The Bible uses the word behold in many places, often to draw attention to something of specific importance. Matthew 1:23, Luke 2:10-11, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 are two of my favorites.  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. ~  Matthew 1:23  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ~  Luke 2:10-11  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all...

There have been many bad things happening in the world around us lately. Fires  in the western end of the country. The  hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, Maria, and now Nate.  The earthquakes in Mexico.  The recent shooting in Las Vegas.  There are probably other incidents, but these are what first come to my mind.  It's horrible and heartbreaking.  People often ask questions in times of tragedy – myself included.  Why? Why me? Why this? Why now? Why all this hurt, God?  I don't know the answer; I honestly don't. But here's what has been heavy on my mind concerning this of late.  What if it's a wake-up call?  A wake up call from God, trying to get America's attention. We've fallen so far away from Him, and yet He offers grace. In His goodness, He nudges us back toward the straight and narrow. Back to Him.  His grace and mercy is there and waiting. The question is: how will we respond?  ~*~  ...

This is not the post I had planned for today.  Last night, as I sat down to write or at least get head start on today's post, I glanced over the meager notes I had for the topic I'd planned. And I frowned. Sure, it's a good topic. But it's not really on my heart right now. I don't feel like writing it right now.  You see, I like to write what I feel. What God has been showing me.  So, I scrolled through some old draft posts and quickly found this one, that I started this spring. I finished writing it, tided it up, and here it. I hope y'all enjoy. :)  Yes, that other post will probably appear here sometime, but probably not for a few weeks. In the meanwhile, I have other things planned. ;)  I sit down to write this post and I honestly have no idea what I'm doing. I want to write something good. Uplifting. I want to encourage you all in your Christian walk.  I want to write about faith.  No, not capitalized Faith. (Writing abou...

As I talked about briefly on  Stories by Firefly  a few days ago, this is National Suicide Prevention Week in America. I had an entirely different post planned for today (which y'all will probably get next week *wink*), but after some contemplation, inspiration, and prayers, I decided to write about this. Hopefully it makes sense to someone.  Suicide.  It's a sticky subject. One that most people shy away from. Which is sad, really...when you think about it. It's a wicked disease, stealing people away. Why don't we know more? Why didn't I know more until this week? I claim to be writing a book that deals with the topic, and yet I was sorely under-informed.  > Did you know that there are more than 1,000 suicides on college campuses a year?  > Did you know that, globally, someone commits suicide every 40 seconds? That's around 800,000 a year.  >  Did you know that suicide is the second-leading cause of death amo...

When I was a kid, you know 4-12, I imagined that being a teenager would be so. much. fun. I don't really know what I expected it to be like, other than absolutely epic.  But ya know? It's not what I expected.  I don't know how I thought teens spent their days, but now I realize that what we really do is school (given), talk to friends (nothing new), have arguments with siblings (see previous notes), and have pointless conversations.  It's not new.  And yet  everything  is new and different. Nothing is the same.  I'm different, you're different, we're all different. We're stuck somewhere between kids and adults. Too old for toys, too young for marriage.  Old enough to date, depending on your parents' rules anyway, which is pretty darn frightening when you think about it. Old enough to have jobs and drive cars and take on responsibility. But too young to vote or move out or go to college.  It's kind of a...

At the beginning of the summer – upon realizing that this summer would be my last before adulthood – I titled a draft post 'best summer yet'.  Call me crazy if you like, but it's like I just knew this summer was going to be amazing. Don't get me wrong – every summer is special. There's something special in every day if you know where to look for it.  But this was different. In late May to early June, I had this unexplainable feeling that there was going to be things happen between my junior and senior year to forever mark this summer in my memory.  And there was. A whole multitude of happenings and irreplaceable memories. It wasn't all fun and happiness. I laughed and I cried, tears of joy and tears of hurt.  God has been good to me in my seventeen years. I've never experienced terrible hardship. No one in my immediate family or I have been faced with a serious illness.  With my dad being a pastor, we've left two churches over th...

Yes, I know. No post last Saturday. Sorry about that. :) After writing a post every day for the blog party at  Stories by Firefly , I didn't have it in me to write something posting-worthy.  I'm sitting down to write this post later this evening instead of this morning...or all day... Because I haven't felt like writing a 'good' post. Typing it out and admitting it, I'm making myself sound lazy. But I don't mean it to be. I had originally intended to write a post on faith and what it looks like to have a 'living faith'. But that's not what's on my heart right now, not this evening.  (A  ramble and a rant -- maybe that's what I should've titled this post, as it's already became a bit of a ramble and it's only going to worsen.)  As I mull over all these thoughts racing through me, I'm left wondering how I can write things that are uplifting and encouraging, when I'm not sure I  want  to be uplifting or...

This week, while reading 66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild, I came across this passage from the book of Numbers that made me pause and think...  “ Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.” ~ Numbers 35:10-15 KJV  ...

I've been musing some lately on how Thursday doesn't get much recognition – in my life, at least. My favorite day of the week is Friday – it's the day before the weekend and it's known for that.  Monday is the dreaded beginning of the work/school week. Saturday and Sunday are obvious wins for rest and relaxation and, most importantly, worship. Wednesday is the middle day and means – for my family, anyway – Bible study and youth group that night at church.  But Tuesday and Thursday?  They're just 'other days' where I find myself waiting for the next day to come, or looking back to what happened the previous day. Reflection and anticipation are by no means wrong – that's not what I'm saying.  But suppose the season of life you're in right now feels like a Tuesday or a Thursday? You're either waiting for something big (Friday) to come along or you're already past it and dreading the next big thing (Monday).  But aren...

One day, while reading in my Bible, I came upon chapter 22 of Acts. I read Paul's defense before the crowd, when he gave his testimony. Later on, as I was thinking back to it, this exchange is what came to my mind...  Paul: God, they won't listen to me. They know all that I have done. I was there when Stephen was stoned – I assisted in killing one of Your faithful followers. Why should You forgive me?  God: I know all that you have done, My beloved. And I have loved and redeemed you in spite of it all.  Paul: But, God I don't understand.  I'm so undeserving.  Why would you do this for me?  God: I'm doing this because I love you, Paul. I have great plans for your life. You don't need to understand, only to follow.  Paul: Okay. I believe. I'll do as you ask. One more question? God: Yes?  Paul: ...what is this called, Lord? God: This is grace, My child.  “Let us therefore come boldly unto the thron...

I know, I know... No post all last week. So sorry about that! I'm here today with a post, though. I hope you enjoy. :)  Do you ever look at the world around you and feel a compelling urge to do something about it? Like you're supposed to be doing something – anything – to change it? To make a difference? To shine Christ's light?  I know I do.  And we  are  supposed to be doing something. As Christians, each of us have a job to do for God's eternal kingdom. Spreading the Gospel. Winning souls.  Yet it often angers me to see it all – the evil and wickedness in this lost, dark, dying world. It's wrong. It's dishonoring to God. If those people (I'm very bad to categorize) can be so blatantly sinful, why should they be offered the chance of salvation?  But God reminds me that I'm a sinner too. And just as bad of one as anyone else. No sin is 'better' or 'worse' than any other. (I'm almost off this rabbit trail. ...

{ I wrote this over a week ago, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. But here it is and I hope you enjoy. :) }  I've been doing a lot of thinking about life lately. More specifically, my life. My future. My plans for the future.  Plans -- let's talk about that for a moment.  A month ago I had NO plans for the future. And I was content with that...or so I thought. Whenever someone asked what I was going to go to college for or what I was planning to do with my life, I would shrug, laugh, and say that I had no idea. Which is pretty much the truth. But not entirely...  Because I do know what I want to do. I want to live my life to glorify God my Father. I want to get married and raise a houseful of children (not Michelle Duggar houseful, or even Olivia Walton houseful, but several ).  But I don't say that when people ask me. Why? I don't really know why, other than that it would be rather awkward to explain to some folks. ;) ...

Hey everyone! How are you on this not so awesome because it's Monday  glorious morning? :D I'm...pretty good. I've got alot done this morning in spite of suffering from a serious case of Sunday-lag. What's Sunday-lag, you're probably thinking. You know, what jet-lag is right? Well Sunday-lag is like that except it attacks you on Monday mornings. Yesterday was a more-than-usually tiring Sunday, so I'm still recovering... *stifles a yawn* Anyway... =) When you saw the title of this post there's a very good possibility you groaned in dread. "Oh, great," you may've moaned. "The girl who is so irresponsible in her blogging, writing, and probably everything else is giving me a lecture on responsibility?!"  If that was you (or even if it wasn't), take a deep breath and relax. This isn't going to be a lecture. ;)  What comes to mind when you think of responsibilities? For me I think of several lines I've heard ...

  'Ello readers! :) Remember what I said about being better to post here? Yeah, well, it didn't happen in the past couple weeks, did it? That's going to change, because the first Sisters in Christ chat is going up soon. ^_^    How are you on this blessed Good Friday? Today is the day we remember the sacrifice Jesus made, the suffering He went through, to pay the ultimate price so we could be freed from the enslaving bondage of our sins. Isn't that something worthy of celebration?! :) I'm hopefully going to have an Easter poem posted here on Sunday. If that doesn't work out, there will still be some sort  of Easter post. :-)    Now...on with this post!!! :D    This are somethings that have been on my heart a lot the last week and I've decided to share this with y'all. I've throught about it, I've prayed about it, and now I'm writing out my thoughts in this post. (And you all are getting stuck reading it. LOL. xD)  ...